COVID-19: Can you help vulnerable pupils? & Support for Camden residents

Laptops and iPads needed to help vulnerable pupils learn at home

With schools closed, we are trying to support young people and their families to learn at home remotely. Facing unprecedented demand, we are working to ensure every student has access to the resources they need.

Camden Council is asking businesses to donate any spare laptops and iPads for vulnerable students who don’t have a device at home, to help them to access vital online learning while schools are closed.

The Council is also working with Camden Learning, schools, community groups and local businesses to find ways to ensure pupils have a Wi-Fi connection in their homes.

If a business has laptops or iPads that they can donate to a school in Camden that are less than five years old and in good condition, we will collect them and work with schools to distribute them to children who most need them.

Companies can also make financial donations and sponsor schools to help purchase or repurpose laptops for students.

Find the short form here to tell us about your laptops or iPads.


Support for Camden residents facing financial hardship

If you or any of your employees live in Camden and are worried about being able to pay your council tax, please call us on 0207 974 4444 (option 9). Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to receive support to pay your council tax through our Council Tax Support scheme.

If you’re receiving Council Tax Support already and have something left to pay, you should have received a letter from us about a further discount, but please call us if you haven’t received it yet.

If you don’t receive Council Tax Support already and you earn less than £387 per week (or less than £483.75 if you have children, you’re living with a disability, or you’re a carer), you’ll be eligible for a discount. If you earn less than £86 per week, you won’t pay anything at all. Please apply via our website – camden.gov.uk/council-tax-support – or call us on 0207 974 4444 (option 9).

If you or your employees don’t live in Camden, please speak to your local council about the support they offer residents to pay council tax.

If you’re worried about money – help is available

We’ve increased financial support for residents who need it, so if you are struggling with your finances as a result of coronavirus, you can get help.  

1. If you or any of your employees are facing immediate financial hardship – e.g. you have no savings or money in your account – apply for a one-off payment through our Local Welfare Assistance Fund online or by calling 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
2. If you’re receiving benefits, it’s really important that you tell both us and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) about any changes to your income so that we can adjust the amount you’re entitled to. You can do this by going to gov.uk for any DWP benefits and tell us by emailing benefits@camden.gov.uk or by filling in a ‘change in circumstances’ form. (Please call us if you have any trouble accessing this form.)
3. If you’re not receiving benefits but your income has stopped or dropped, you might be eligible for Council Tax Support (see above), Universal Credit and contributions-based benefits like Job Seekers’ Allowance or Employment Support Allowance. Visit gov.uk for more information
4. If you’re struggling to keep up with payments on existing debts like a loan, credit card, overdraft or mortgage, speak to your bank to apply for a three month payment holiday
   

You can find out more about financial support available to Camden residents at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Have you signed up for our coronavirus newsletter?

Every Thursday we send an email newsletter with the latest public health and Government advice, an update on our services, advice on different topics like looking after your mental health and more. You can sign up for it here.